RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesChloe Kelly scored five goals in 2025-26, including a hat-trick against West Ham in March [Getty Images]
Lionesses icon. Fashion trailblazer. Baller League coach. Arsenal title-chaser.
Chloe Kelly has plenty to keep her busy - but the conviction she shows on the pitch and in front of the camera has belied trickier times behind the scenes.
Her arrival at Arsenal in January 2025 ended a difficult spell at Manchester City, where she felt compelled to go public about wanting to leave.
Handed a way out by the club she represented as a junior, she says she was not sure what to expect when signing for Renee Slegers' side.
On a summer day at the Gunners' training ground - decked in the red-and-white kit she first wore at the age of 12 - the England forward tells BBC Sport how she felt returning to Arsenal.
"A bit of a fear of the unknown. I reflect on [the end of her City spell] as a dark moment but one of learning about myself," she says.
Eighteen months on, and now a Champions League and Champions Cup winner , she has made her mark at Arsenal.
Whether in the topless shirt-twirling after scoring in the Euro 2022 final for England, or in the shrug of the shoulders after netting against Italy in the 2025 semi-finals, Kelly exudes self-assurance - but insists that is not always so.
"In moments where I'm confident, I'll show it, but that's not always the case," she says. "In other moments, I need a little arm around the shoulder."
'I've accepted my future is not at this club' - Kelly
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Kelly made a rapid start at Arsenal in the second half of the 2024-25 season, scoring twice and providing five assists, and helping the club win a second Women's Champions League title.
She then played an instrumental role in England retaining the European Championships that summer, including scoring the title-winning penalty against Spain in the shootout.
Last season however, was less successful. Hampered by injury, she only started four times in the Women's Super League - so is itching to get going in the new campaign, which kicks off on Friday, 4 September.
"I had big goals to do amazing things at Arsenal in my first full season and I was a little disappointed I wasn't able to," she says.
"I think I needed this summer to work on myself physically, balancing working in the gym, on the pitch and getting downtime.
"I am in a really good place at the moment. My main goal is to stay fit and fresh all season and be ready when called upon."
And despite the added allure of a World Cup in Brazil next summer should England navigate the play-offs this autumn, Kelly is keeping her focus on the short term.
"My goals and assists are really important so I'll make sure I'm right at it," she adds. "For me, I'll think about [the World Cup] closer to the time."
Why is Kelly not an automatic starter for Arsenal or England?
Arsenal turnover in title pursuit
Georgia Stanway (left) and Ona Batlle faced each other in England's World Cup qualifying defeat by Spain in June [Getty Images]
There has been turnover at Arsenal this summer, with club stalwarts Beth Mead and Katie McCabe leaving for title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, and seven new signings already brought in.
Among them are England linchpin Georgia Stanway - on a free from Bayern Munich - and Ona Batlle, the former Manchester United full-back and multiple Champions League winner from Barcelona.
After 11 trophies in three years in Spain, Batlle, 27, has signed a four-year deal with an option for a further 12 months at Arsenal and is targeting more silverware.
"I think this is the right place to be at the right time for me," Batlle says. "This is the team that best fits the way I want to play.
"I do believe the WSL is the most competitive league and I wanted the new challenge. This was the perfect timing for me to join Arsenal and to try to win everything."
Kelly will help the summer arrivals settle, but when training is done, there is nowhere else she would rather be than back home.
"I just try to be a good person, welcome the players and make sure they feel comfortable in our environment," she says. "I like to take the time with them and really embrace their culture.
"But I'm not really a social butterfly outside of training - I like going home and seeing my family and my dogs!"
Arsenal sign Spain defender Batlle on free transfer
Arsenal sign Lioness Stanway from Bayern
[BBC]
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